HARMAN Announces Next-Generation Scalable Infotainment Platform

CES 2014, LAS VEGAS – HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group (NYSE:HAR), today announced its new next-generation scalable in-vehicle infotainment platform based on innovative system architecture that offers rapid development of connected car apps while protecting the integrity of the system against cyber security threats. This new platform offers an HTML-5-based application environment for rapid development and deployment of rich connected apps and with state-of-the-art network security technologies to ensure system security. In addition, the system uses separate computing domains using type 1 hypervisor for securing critical vehicle functions from errant or malicious software for “automotive grade” robustness that is the first of its kind in the industry. And lastly, this next-generation architecture also integrates advanced driver assist functions such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and other safety features into the infotainment system to bring sensor-based safety features to a wide range of vehicles through a higher level of system integration. HARMAN’s innovative new infotainment platform is now ready for implementation into vehicles, and drivers can expect the system to be on the road within the next two years.

Connected Car Application PlatformThe next-generation infotainment platform by HARMAN paves the way to an app ecosystem in the world of in-car infotainment. With automotive-grade Linux as the underlying OS and HTML5 as the application environment, developers will be able to create applications for the infotainment system using commonly understood technologies such as HTML, JavaScript and CSS.

“With smartphones and tablets, people are now accustomed to customizing their mobile computing experience through downloadable apps. In-vehicle infotainment has traditionally not offered this capability – even though cars are increasingly connected,” says SachinLawande, president, HARMAN Infotainment Division. “We’re excited to start this transformation with our next-generation scalable infotainment platform. This new platform offers users the customizability and upgradability they know from other devices.”

To provide users with a wide range of choices of applications, HARMAN will offer an app store on the established HARMAN Cloud Services Platform, as well as work with OEMs to provide OEM-hosted solutions.

Automotive Grade SecurityAs cars become more connected, car hacking is becoming a serious threat that is forcing the industry to consider how to protect vehicles against cyber-attacks. The next-generation HARMAN infotainment system resolves this challenge by using type 1 hypervisor on multi-core processors to implement two separate system domains that are isolated from each other. One domain manages critical car functions such as vehicle network communication, and the second domain handles infotainment applications such as navigation and Internet access. The infotainment domain is securely firewalled from the vehicle domain, preventing any impact on safety-relevant features in the car. In addition, HARMAN has implemented advanced security techniques such as secure boot and data encryption. The combination creates a Trusted Infotainment Architecture that offers unmatched security.

Integrated ADASThe multi-processor architecture, combined with the hypervisor-based separation of domains, also enables the HARMAN platform to take an innovative approach to offer driver assistance and safety. Instead of using separate devices for infotainment and advanced driver assistance capabilities such as lane departure warning and collision warning systems, the innovative HARMAN system integrates both into the same platform. ADAS software from HARMAN is seamlessly integrated with infotainment software to offer a suite of camera-based ADAS apps that leverage the computing resources of the platform to reduce cost and extend these safety apps to a wider range of vehicles.

HARMAN at CES 2014Visit HARMAN during CES 2014 at its showcase located at the Hard Rock Hotel for a demonstration of HARMAN’s full portfolio of infotainment, in-car audio and Lifestyle portable systems. Follow HARMAN online during CES 2014:

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of 14,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.5 billion for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2013. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.